Battye spent 18 years at the Harris Partnership. He said: "Fletcher-Rae has made a significant mark over the last two years, clinching a number of high-profile projects that span a wide range of sectors and locations – both at home and overseas.

Andrew Rae, joint managing director of Fletcher-Rae, said: "Ben has unrivalled experience within the retail sector, building up excellent relationships with some of the UK's leading brands. His knowledge and expertise of the industry will undoubtedly help to expand our footprint, and we're delighted to have him on board."